FullStory vs Hotjar: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
FullStory positions itself as "complete digital experience intelligence" while Hotjar goes after "see how users really experience your site" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. Both use freemium pricing, but FullStory charges custom while Hotjar charges flat — a meaningful difference for larger teams.
At a glance
| FullStory | Hotjar | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 80/100 | 83/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Complete digital experience intelligence | See how users really experience your site |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | FullStory | Hotjar |
|---|---|---|
| Session replay | Yes | No |
| Heatmaps | Yes | Yes |
| Funnels | Yes | Yes |
| Error tracking | Yes | No |
| Custom events | Yes | No |
| Session recordings | No | Yes |
| Surveys | No | Yes |
| Feedback widgets | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing FullStory means going without Session recordings, Surveys, Feedback widgets (which Hotjar offers). Choosing Hotjar means losing Session replay, Error tracking, Custom events. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
FullStory (501-1000 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. Hotjar (201-500 employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose FullStory if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Choose Hotjar if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Frequently asked questions
Is FullStory or Hotjar better?
Hotjar scores 83/100 compared to FullStory's 80/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — FullStory excels at ease of use (7/10) while Hotjar scores 9/10.
How much does FullStory cost compared to Hotjar?
FullStory starts at free (free tier available). Hotjar starts at free (free tier available). FullStory is the more affordable option.
Does FullStory or Hotjar have a free plan?
Yes, both FullStory and Hotjar offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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